Melbourne man, 65, allegedly served as ISIS online ‘propagandist’: Police

A Melbourne man is expected to be charged with being a member of ISIS and distributing materials about how to plan a mass casualty event.

Victoria’s Joint-Counter Terrorism Team arrested the 65-year-old man after a search at a Carlton home in inner Melbourne on Wednesday morning.

He is expected to be charged with being a member of the terror group ISIS and performing the role of an online propagandist.

Police will allege the man sent about 10,000 files of violent extremist material, including videos, images, audio files, documents, and messages relating to executions, torture, and ISIS propaganda purporting to be from the battlefield.

Counter-terror officers in Melbourne will also allege the man shared instructional guides on planning and conducting mass casualty attacks, including instructions on how to avoid detection from law enforcement.

In a statement, police said they did not allege the man left Australia for ISIS-controlled territory during the conflict – which is itself an offence under Australian law.

However, officers do allege the man pledged allegiance to the terrorist organisation.

Members of the Australian Federal Police will address the media at midday.

Originally published as Melbourne man, 65, allegedly served as ISIS online ‘propagandist’: Police